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How to Create the Perfect English Country Garden

Relaxed and romantic, this is the secret to outdoor country living.

Joanne Quinn - Senior Interior Designer at LuxDeco Studio
By Joanne Quinn, Senior Interior Designer
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Understated and beautiful to behold, an English country garden is one of the most classic approaches to landscaping. Characterised by its naturalistic planting style, use of traditional materials like stone and wood, and its relaxed, romantic atmosphere. 

Typically featuring a mix of perennials, herbs and shrubs, this style of garden is often arranged in a seemingly coincidental way that mimics the look of a wildflower meadow. If you’re looking to introduce this style in your own outdoor space, consider including gravel paths, stone walls or fences and a mix of formal and informal elements. The key is to design it in such a way that it blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, and place an emphasis on creating an idyllic, pastoral setting that feels, at its heart, peaceful. 

Overall, an English country garden is a celebration of nature, a place where you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the outdoors and escape from the noise of modern life. Here’s how to design your own. 

Plan out your garden 

Planning your garden is the most important step in creating a beautiful English country garden. Before you start digging up your lawn, you should do some research on the area where you live and what type of soil is available. Do some research on local climate, too as you’ll want to ensure that whatever plants and flowers you choose will thrive in your region's weather conditions.
Once you've done this initial research, it's time to start designing. Think about how much space there is for planting and what kind of shape you have to work with when deciding how many different areas should be included in your garden: maybe there's enough room for a vegetable patch as well as flower beds; or maybe just one large area with lots of different kinds of plants would suffice instead?

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Design an outdoor seating area 

Creating the perfect outdoor seating area requires careful consideration of both style and function. Start by selecting comfortable and durable outdoor furniture, such as a garden sofa or a set of outdoor armchairs. Add plenty of pillows and blankets to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, opt for either a colourful array to reflect the flora or a more neutral, linen-inspired space if your garden is more focused on foliage. Consider adding a fire pit or outdoor heater to extend the use of the space long into the evenings and cooler months, this is something your guests will thank you for. 

For added ambiance, string lights or lanterns can provide a soft glow, just be sure to select suitable outdoor lighting because if this is an English garden it’s sure to encounter some rain. If you don’t have an excess of space, but are striving for a verdant landscape, don't forget to incorporate some greenery with potted plants or a vertical garden wall to bring a touch of nature to your outdoor area.

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Therese Outdoor Armchair
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Create a water feature 

A water feature is a great way to add interest to your garden whilst engaging more than one of your senses. There are many types of water features available, from small ponds to elaborate fountains. The type you choose depends on the size of your garden, how much maintenance you want to do, and whether or not you want fish in it.

Choosing the right type of water feature for your English country garden depends on space. If you have a large area in need of filling up with plants, then consider using a larger pond or fountain that can hold more than one plant species. Smaller gardens may only require smaller features like bird baths or fountains without pumps because they won't require much space at all!

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Add a natural pond 

If it is a pond that you’re after, a more natural feeling design would suit the English country style best. Avoid harsh lines, man-made materials and obvious shapes. 

Choosing the right size for your pond is essential, you want to make sure that the pond will be large enough for its intended use, but not so big that it takes up too much space in your garden.

After you've decided on the size of your pond, it's time to design its shape. For a more natural-looking pond, opt for an irregularly shaped pool with lots of curves. Just remember, whatever shape you choose should be aesthetically pleasing while still providing plenty of room for wildlife within its boundaries. The more plants and animals, the better. 

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Ethnicraft
Stone Rectangular Marble Console
£767

Finishing touches 

As with all spaces, it’s the little details that make it just right, and when it comes to an English garden it’s no different. From luscious flower beds to summer-themed tableware, these subtle details make for a summer spent enjoying the fresh air. 

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